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Move on once sit, down, come and leave it work reliably at home and on walks, often between six and twelve months. Then add heel, longer stays, door manners and off-leash recall on a long line. Go back to basics whenever a skill falls apart. Answer page →
Skills and how to train them
Skill
Why it matters for Labs
Method
Place / mat
Stops jumping at guests and counter-surfing
Reward for all four paws on the mat; build duration; add the doorbell later
Wait at doors
Prevents door-dashing (Labs bolt after scents)
Hand on handle; open only when the dog stays still; close if it moves
Heel
Controlled walking in busy places
Reward in position at your left leg, every step at first, then every few steps
Distance recall
Off-leash safety
Practice on a long line; reward heavily; add a whistle
Settle
Calm indoors
Reward calm lying down; ignore demands
Out of sight stay
CGC test item
Build gradually from 2 s to 3 min
Preparing for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test
The CGC tests 10 skills, including accepting a friendly stranger, sitting politely for petting, walking on a loose lead, walking through a crowd, sit/down/stay, coming when called, reacting to another dog and to distractions, and supervised separation. Many Labs can pass by 12–18 months with steady practice.
Troubleshooting
Great at home, deaf outside: you’ve moved up difficulty too quickly. Practice at a quieter location first.
Grabby with treats: teach “gentle” by closing your hand until the mouth softens.
Too excited to learn: do a sniff walk first, then train.
How to Stop Your Lab Pulling on the Leash A 3-phase, reward-based plan for loose-leash walking with a strong Lab, plus the right harness and what to do when your Lab lunges at squirrels.
Best GPS Collars for Labrador Retrievers Fi vs Tractive for Labs: how each tracker works, subscription requirements, waterproofing questions for swimmers, and how to pick the right one.
